ROCK

SMITH

Rock Climbing

Smith Rock
September 20-23, 2024

Oregon

Skill Level:
No experience necessary!

Level 3

Accessibility Rating:
1 = Least Accessible
5 = Most Accessible

Category:
Rock Climbing

Lodging:
Camping

Group Size:
15 – 20

COST: $225

OVERVIEW

Join Paradox Sports at the historic birthplace of sport climbing in the US, Smith Rock! This trip will feature 2 days of climbing and camping, surrounded by friends and community in the high desert of Oregon. Due to its unique volcanic geology, Smith Rock offers a massive variety of routes, from beginner friendly to some of the country’s hardest climbs, so there is truly a climb for everyone. In addition to Smith Rock being a historic climbing venue, it’s also a gorgeous state park boasting hiking, mountain biking, camping, and fishing along the Crooked River, with scenic views throughout. Join us September 20-23rd for Paradox Sports’ second annual visit to Smith Rock.

This trip is sponsored by the KAJ Memorial Fund, honoring Carla and Bill’s son, Kyle, who passed away in a climbing accident in Germany in March 2022. One of Kyle’s life goals was to work with veterans, individuals with disabilities, and youth groups in outdoor programs, which attracted his family to Paradox Sports. “While our lives will never be the same, we are thrilled to be partnering with Paradox to achieve Kyle’s life goal of helping others while creating a lasting legacy that will keep Kyle’s bright light shining!”

ACCESSIBILITY

The approach to the climbing sites is varied, but is generally characterized as being rough, uneven trails with rocks, boulders, stone steps, sand and gravel. The trails are typical “able bodied” climber trails with limited development in regards to ensuring total accessibility. Depending on mobility level, the approach can range from 20 minutes to 45 minutes and can require the assistance of volunteers. The trail accessibility for chair users and those with limited mobility is very difficult. The approach ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 mile, however participants will have ample support in traveling over this terrain by staff, guides and volunteers but should have a base level of comfort traveling in this type of terrain. If you have limited mobility, and have questions on the approach/accessibility, please contact us.
Paradox Sports strives to serve all individuals regardless of ability, and encourages individuals considering this program to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria here. If you have specific questions about this program, please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org.
If you have any questions on the approach/climbing/camping accessibility, or need any specific climbing/camping gear, please contact sam@paradoxsports.org

TRIP SCHEDULE

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change.
A finalized schedule will be emailed to you before the trip.

FRIDAY

2-6 PM: Arrive and set up camp
6 PM: Welcome dinner and program overview
8 PM: Campfire

SATURDAY

8 AM: Breakfast at camp
9 AM – 4 PM: Full day of climbing (pack your own lunch)
4 – 6 PM: Free Time – explore the park, walk the river, take a nap, just be sure to be back to camp for dinner!
6 PM: Dinner and hangout out by the fire (trivia and possibly karaoke)

SUNDAY

8 AM: Breakfast at camp
9 AM – 4 PM: Full day of climbing (pack your own lunch)
4 – 6 PM: Free Time – explore the park, walk the river, take a nap, or join us for an optional happy hour in town sponsored by the KAJ Foundation, just be sure to be back to camp for dinner!
6 PM: Dinner and hangout out by the fire (trivia and possibly karaoke)

MONDAY

8 AM: Breakfast
8 AM – 12 PM: Break down camp, pack up and depart

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We encourage participants to have basic outdoor experience and at minimum an introductory understanding of either rock climbing. Each year we welcome first-time climbers into our community, right alongside some of the best in the world. There will be routes available for a wide variety of skill levels, and coaches to help you succeed – whatever your goal may be. Our climbing will range from 5.7-5.10, with the majority of routes falling around the 5.8-5.9 range.

This trip is a car camping trip – please come prepared for all weather! Individuals should be prepared to bring their own camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, pads, cook setup, etc.). Paradox has some gear available to loan if requested.

All participants and climbing assistants are responsible for their transportation to and from the event as well as during the weekend.

Smith Rock State Park is located in the high desert in Central Oregon in the town of Terrebonne.  Driving time to Smith Rock State Park is approximately 6-7 hours from Seattle, 2.5-3 hours from Portland, and around 30 minutes from Bend. The closest airport is 10 miles away in Redmond, OR.
Paradox Sports can help connect you with rideshare options with other participants or assistants joining, depending on ride availability. During registration you will have the option to request carpool, and include where you will be coming from.

We encourage climbers to bring their own personal gear if possible, including a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes. All group gear, including ropes, anchor material, bouldering pads will be provided. Climbers will also need to bring all personal camping gear, including tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and appropriate clothing. Paradox Sports has a limited range of climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses, and camping gear available to loan if you need to borrow please indicate in your registration. You can see a full packing list for trips at the button above, and we are happy to answer any questions about gear that you might have!

Paradox Sports will provide meals from Friday night dinner through Monday morning breakfast. Build your own lunch items will be provided so individuals can make and pack their lunches to bring with them to the crag.  If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please include that in your registration.

Due to the nature of this program, climbing assistants should have previous experience on a Paradox Sports trip, attended a Paradox Sports volunteer training, Adaptive Climbing Initiative course, and/or be an experienced climber. We encourage all assistants to have experience in the outdoors. Assistants are expected to belay, be comfortable assisting others through variable terrain, and have at least an introductory understanding of climbing and the associated equipment. Paradox Sports reserves the right to assign assistants to appropriate roles based on the assessment of experience, skills, comfort and overall ability.
Assistants register through the link above, and select “Assistant Climber Registration”. The cost for assisting with the same as the cost for adaptive climbers. As a non-profit, we need to cover our cost to operate and this includes both participants and assistants pitching in to cover trips costs. Often the lines between “participant” and “assistant” are indistinguishable as we enjoy a weekend of climbing as a community. Registration fees for everyone cover food, lodging, equipment, professional guides, extra programming, insurance, and other overhead for planning the trip. It takes a lot to make these programs succeed – we thank you for your contribution both physically and financially.
If you are an AMGA certified guide and want to volunteer guide time on any of our programs, please contact our Program Manager Sam Sala at sam@paradoxsports.org.

What’s Included:

•    Professional guides and instruction with a ratio of 2:1
•    Camping and Guide Fees
•    Meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch
•    Gear: Technical rock climbing equipment (please indicate your gear needs in your registration)

What’s Not Included:

•    Transportation: All participants and volunteers are responsible for getting to and from the event, as well as transportation during the weekend.
•   Guardian / Partner registrations: Each registration is for one individual only. If your friends, significant other, guardian or personal aid would like to join, we ask that they register as a volunteer for the trip and help cover the costs of lodging, meals, logistics, guides, etc. and that they are eager and willing to be an active part of the community for the weekend!
•   Alcohol is not included, and not permitted while on Paradox Sports programs.
* For information on financial assistance please see more details here.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our programs, Paradox Sports has a no pets policy.  If you have a service animal that you plan to bring with you on a program, please be sure to let us know in advance and familiarize yourself with this Service Animal Agreement.  We will require a signed copy of this agreement from anyone bringing a service dog with them on the trip.  If you bring any animals on a program that are not service animals, you may be asked to leave without reimbursement.

We have a cancellation policy to ensure the maximum number of climbers can attend and spots do not go unused.

If you cancel:

•    2 weeks or more before the event, you will receive a full refund of your registration fees unless costs were incurred by Paradox Sports; in that case, we may retain 10% of your registration fee.
•   Less than 2 weeks before the event and we cannot fill your spot, you will be charged 50% of the registration fee.
•   Without notice (no-show) your registration fee is non-refundable and we will retain the full fee.
•   For cancellations due to emergency situations and special cases, please contact us to discuss options. We will work with you for the best solution.

*If you are asked to leave any Paradox Sports event by staff due to inappropriate behavior, you will not be refunded any fees in association with the trip or event, no matter the duration that you were in attendance. 

SPONSORS

Thank you to all of our partners for helping
make this event a huge success year after year:
KAJ Memorial Foundation
AlpenGlow Adventure Catering

Questions? Please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org or by phone 720-638-5593